SmackDown Countdown 2007: The Undertaker

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Dead men do tell tales.

By Greg Miller

Where were you seven years ago? Getting married? Flipping burgers? Eating paste? In a womb?

IGN was right here doing this.

This is the seventh year of IGN teaming with THQ to bring you an exclusive look at the Superstars of the latest WWE videogame. This year, we'll be detailing all 50 of WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008's in-ring renegades -- legends, divas and the current brawlers -- in a one-a-day format leading up to our exclusive review. What can you expect on these pages as time goes by? Well, be on the lookout for stats, bios, videos, screens and much more as we get in-depth, hands-on time with these titles.

Who gets the Countdown spotlight today? Why, it's none other than the Undertaker.

HEIGHT: 6'10"

WEIGHT: 305 lbs.

HOMETOWN:Death Valley

The Deadman has overcome every challenge he's faced in his WWE career en route to becoming one of the the greatest Superstars in WWE history.

From the moment his signature gong fills the air, WWE fans are captivated by Undertaker's mere presence. The Deadman from Death Valley is usually a man of few words, but can often intimidate even the toughest WWE Superstars with one glance. His somber persona has been a terrifying trademark of WWE for over 15 years, and no list of WWE all-time greats can be considered complete without Undertaker.

At the 1990 Survivor Series, Ted DiBiase introduced Undertaker as the final member of his "Million Dollar Team" for a Classic Survivor Series Match. From the minute he walked through the curtain with manager Brother Love, fans were in awe of the Deadman's presence.

At the 1994 Royal Rumble, the Deadman met Yokozuna in a Casket Match for the WWE Championship. It took nearly a dozen men to help the 700-pound champion defeat the Deadman, and after the match, Undertaker said he would not rest in peace. Months later, Ted DiBiase claimed that he found Undertaker, but it turned out to be only a look-alike, and the real Deadman defeated his impostor at SummerSlam 1994. Undertaker then got his revenge on Yokozuna, defeating the big man in a Casket Match at the 1994 Survivor Series.

He would dominate the WWE from then on.

Coming into the past Judgment Day, Undertaker had successfully turned back every other challenger he had faced in his long and illustrious WWE career. However, the 7 foot 3, 420 pound Great Khali proved to be an exception to the rule. Never before was Undertaker manhandled in such a fashion as he was by the threatening Khali. Daivari's new monster disposed of the Phenom with ease, leaving all to wonder if Undertaker will ever be heard from again. He turned down an invitation to be on Piper's Pit on the June 2 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, furthering speculation that there may be truth to Daivari's earlier claim that the Deadman's spirit has been broken by Khali.

At The Great American Bash, the Phenom survived the most fiendish, barbaric match in WWE history: the Punjabi Prison Match. Undertaker was scheduled to collide in the Prison with his nemesis, Khali, until SmackDown GM Teddy Long replaced Khali with Big Show following a backstage ambush by both Show and Khali. After being dominated for weeks by The Great Khali, the Deadman rose to the occasion and prevailed in a match never before seen in the Western world.

And so ends another day of IGN and THQ's SmackDown Countdown. Remember, all statistical attributes and other information is temporary until the game ships in November. If they change Kane's hometown to the moon or something, don't yell at us. Until the game is in your grubby paws, keep checking IGN for your daily dose of squared-circle information.